Rumble in the Rapids: 17 U All Tournament Teams

<p>The Prep Hoops Circuit made its first and only scheduled stop in Michigan this past weekend. While not the biggest field in terms of quantity of teams. The quality of talent was at a high level. Following are the first and second all tournament teams for the 17 and under division. </p> <p><i>Note: 16U and 15U coming tomorrow </i></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="981201" first="Levi" last="Birkholz"] 6-3 Lakeside Lutheran (WI) </b>A top 10 player in the state of Wisconsin. Blew into the Mitten and more than lived up to that billing. Led the Wisconsin Crusaders to an undefeated record on the weekend. Already covered his outstanding Saturday play. Frankly I’m starting to run out of adjectives. But he saved his best for last. Showed off his elite above the rim athleticism with a huge chase down block of [player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"] (see below) Earned his first Division 2 offer from Northern Michigan after the weekend. With the way he has been playing this spring. This is most likely the first of many. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="986247" first="Amari" last="Allen"] 6-4 Hamtramck (MI) </b>An absolute tank of a two guard prospect. Physically advanced with broad shoulders and long arms. Absorbs and seeks out contact on penetration. Not simply all bully ball all the time<span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">. Has a decent amount of finesse to his game. Didn’t shoot it great this weekend. Though I have seen him get real hot from beyond the arc. Seemed to have a defensive switch he could flip. I saw him steal three straight in bounds passes in quick succession on Sunday. You’re lucky if you see two in entire game. Explosive athlete who turns defense into offense quickly. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"] 6-8 Kalamazoo Central (MI) </b>If you don’t know about this prototypical stretch four’s game. Well you just haven’t been paying attention. Since being eliminated on a buzzer beating three in the state quarterfinal round. Ward has been on an absolute tear. Can really— and I mean really shoot it. However I was impressed with his defensive ability this past weekend. Skied for a block in transition on Saturday night. Pinned it against the backboard and kept it in play. Has more than enough foot speed and lateral quickness to be a plus defender. Can’t hunt him in pick and roll situations like a lot of young bigs. Like Birkholz already holds a DII GLIAC offer. Ward’s is from Lake Superior St. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"] 6-5 Lakota East (OH) </b>Long and lanky scoring wing had a good weekend for Cincinnati based R4L Elite. The mix of size and skill is what initially catches your eye. But the more you watch him. You begin to pick up the nuance in his game. Plays with excellent balance and always appears under control. Will need to add more strength to play at the next level. That being said he is not a pushover right now. Makes up for his skinny frame with competitiveness and tenacity. Forms a good AAU duo with fellow Lakota East guard [player_tooltip player_id="1225050" first="Lebron" last="Bennie-Powell"]</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1183906" first="Ayden" last="Carter"] 6-4 Fremont Ross (OH) </b>Like Mitchell a slashing wing with length from the Buckeye state. Carter was electric in transition for Hopson Elite. Kicked off the weekend in a big way Saturday. Posted 24 points on the back of five impressive dunks to defeat a good God’s Gift 2023 squad (see below) Kept up the solid play all weekend. Both Carter and [player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"] will be in action next weekend in Columbus at the Grit Region Memorial Classic. That’s two high flying wing you will want to check out. </p> <p><b><u>Second Team</u></b></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1024438" first="Alex" last="Sherwood"] 6-7 Xavier (WI) </b>While Birkholz was doing his work out on the perimeter. Sherwood was leading the charge down low. Showed his defensive ability by holding [player_tooltip player_id="1077679" first="Hutch" last="Ward"] somewhat in check in the high profile Sunday morning victory. Has plenty size but is more than just banger. Has good ball skills and nice touch from the perimeter. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1300902" first="Christian" last="Zielinski"] 6-3 Homeschool (Coleman MI) </b>The mid Michigan version of [player_tooltip player_id="986247" first="Amari" last="Allen"]. Zeilinski is a physically advanced prospect capable of playing both backcourt positions. Like Allen has broad shoulders and a thick frame that you do normally equate with a guard. Due to questions about competition. These types of tournaments are big for a homeschooled player. Zielinski showed that is capable of playing with just about anyone at the small college level. Could be a steal for a college coach willing to take a chance. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1461117" first="Sam" last="Bishop"] 6-1 Westfield (IN) </b>Arguably one of top shooters in the entire field. Was absolutely on fire in a Saturday victory against Macomb County Cougars. Used seven three pointers to finish with 30 points. Showed off the other aspects of his game in a low scoring Sunday victory over a good REAL Basketball squad (see above) With his team down to five players took on more of a ball handling and distribution role. </p> <p><b>Caleb David 6-0 Francis Parker (IL) </b>This Chicago guard saw Bishop’s 30 piece and said “I’ll raise you one.” Posted 31 points in a Saturday victory over CTM-Miller. Did it in a different way than Bishop. The lefty was explosive in transition and got the rim with ease all weekend for HDX. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1279765" first="Quentin" last="Heady"] 6-5 Hillcrest (IL) </b>Top 100 player from the state of Illinois had a good weekend for God’s Gift. Has a versatile game and is able to score both inside and out. Could form a nice regular season duo with 6-9 Chicago Lockdown post [player_tooltip player_id="1215285" first="Matthew" last="Moore"]. </p> <p><i>Contributions from George Michalowski </i></p>